AN IDENTIFICATION METHODOLOGY FOR A CLASS OF HYSTERETIC STRUCTURES

This paper presents a method of identification for determining non-linear dynamic models for certain hysteretic structures. Particular attention is given to modelling and identifying the hysteretic behaviour of structures from strong-motion earthquake data. In this method, the response is separated into mode-like components which are analogous to those of a linear system. Based on modelling of the generalized restoring force of each mode-like component, both non-hysteretic and hysteretic non-linear models are incorporated into the general methodology. A non-hysteretic model provides an initial estimate for a final hysteretic model. The approach is applicable even when data are. available from only a small number of locations in the structure. The structural model identified from this method provides a means to predict the response to future events and, ultimately, to examine the damage to a structure as a result of an earthquake.